Last week another Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis was at the veterinary hospital here in the Cuiabá Basin region in Brazil.
It had been kept as a pet but as it had grown it had become less manageable. It had been passed into the care of the authorities. They had brought it to the veterinary hospital.
I have written before, briefly, about Ocelots. They are apparently common in the Cuiabá Basin. This is the second I have come across in six months.
A veterinary surgeon once told me that the quality of a spotted cat's coat is reflective of its general state of health. I was able to take some vita life sign parameters on this animal, but they will appear elsewhere. This page covers other aspects of the Ocelot.
I estimated this one as weighing between 10 and 15 kg, although I wasn't able to weigh it. It was a mature male. I was struck by its placidity, although this is a deceptive behaviour with wild animals. It was alert, watchful and responsive to its environment. Its eyes were clear and large. Its coat was glossy and healthy. I was helped by Mateus, a veterinary nurse and together we moved the Ocelot to a fresh enclosure so that the other could be cleaned out.
Ocelots are jungle cats and their gorgeous pelage is spotted and striped. This is cryptic camouflage. It enables them to remain hidden in th heat of the day in the shade on the forest floor, if they lie still.
They are clean, hardy and I could feel that this one was very strong. Its claws stayed retracted during the procedure.
This is a short page in which I have attempted to shed some light on the Ocelot's behaviour and habits. I hope you found it informatve and interesting.
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